Filmmaker Jess Varley was born and raised in Brooklyn, NY. Her recent film, The Astronaut, starring Kate Mara and Laurence Fishburne, premiered opening night of SXSW 2025. Both The New York Times and Deadline praised Varley’s bold and original twist. Previously, her writing and directing work on the Phobias anthology, produced by the Radio Silence team, were also highlighted by The New York Times as standout, including her ability to transform Macy Gray into "the horror movie queen you didn't know you wanted." Moviefone has included Jess on their list of top 20 female genre directors.

Jess Varley at SXSW Premiere of The Astronaut

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Jess Varley & Eric B. Fleischman at TIFF Premiere of Carolina Caroline

Laurence Fishburne & Jess Varley on set of The Astronaut

Cameron Fuller, Kate Mara, Gabriel Luna, Jess Varley, Eric B. Fleischman, Chris Abernathy, and Bradley Fuller at an event for The Astronaut (2025)

Still of Jess Varley & Broderick Engelhard on set of Phobias

Gabriel Luna, Kate Mara, Scarlett Holmes & Jess Varley at SXSW premiere of The Astronaut

Eric B. Fleischman, Jess Varley, Christine Abernathy & Chris Abernathy at Premiere of Sacramento

Cameron Fuller, Chris Abernathy, Gabriel Luna, Kate Mara, Eric B. Fleischman, Jess Varley & Brad Fuller at SXSW Deadline Studio for The Astronaut

Jess Varley, Gabriel Luna & Kate Mara at IMDB event for The Astronaut

Jess Varley(I)

Jess Varley(I)

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